Tony Hawk, the skateboarding legend who is synonymous with daring tricks and modern skate culture, had an experience outside of his comfort zone over the weekend: performing in ballet.
The San Diego native and namesake of “The Professional Skater Tony Hawk,” 57, made his ballet debut on Saturday, performing on stage at Golden State Ballet's production of “The Nutcracker.” During a one-of-a-kind performance at the San Diego Civic Theatre, Hawk appeared in several scenes of the beloved holiday ballet, entertaining the audience with costumed stunts.
“Sometimes you just have to say yes to things OUTSIDE of your comfort zone, especially when your daughter thinks [it’s] funny,” he wrote on Sunday Instagram mail.
Golden State Ballet Announces Hawk's Cameo in The Nutcracker social mediaA earlier this month, declaring, “He's trying something completely new.”
“He supports San Diego arts,” the original message read. “He makes his daughter proud.”
“Nutcracker” is a two-act ballet about a girl named Clara who receives a nutcracker doll for Christmas. When the toy magically comes to life, he protects Clara from the Mouse King and takes her on her dream journey through a colorful land of sweets ruled by the Sugar Plum Fairy.
So where does a professional skater fit in?
Hawk posted several photos and videos from his performance, including footage of his first cameo during the ballet's opening. The sports icon, wearing a scarf and newsboy hat, ruins the snowy scene outside Clara's house. He rolls around the stage, balancing on a board with both arms in the air, as a police officer runs after him.
In the second act of the ballet, Hawk was not the only figure skater to take the stage. During the popular trepak, or Russian dance, Hawk and junior figure skater Kaitlyn West joined a trio of dancers in jumping into the air from a quarterpipe. Like the dancers, Hawk and West wore Russian-style fur hats, tunics and baggy red pants. The audience burst into thunderous applause.
Finally, Hawk and West took the stage to open the curtain on the show. Not too bad, skater.
